A cataract is a progressive clouding of the surface or interior of the eye’s lens that causes vision impairment, or in severe cases, blindness. The lens is a small oval-like structure and consists of a thin capsule (like saran wrap) enveloping a bag of protein. Both the capsule and protein inside the lens are crystal clear and colorless at birth, but discolor and cloud with age: first yellow, then brown, and finally cloudy. A partial or completely opaque lens that interferes with vision is called a cataract.
The cataract prevents the eye from transmitting or focusing light clearly. A cataract is not a growth, a "skin", or a disease. It is usually not a sign of eye or systemic disease.
Symptoms of cataracts include blurred vision while driving or watching TV, and difficulty reading normal print material such as books and newspapers.
Initially, the cataract changes the focusing power of the eye, causing some nearsightedness/myopia. A change of glasses can sometimes improve vision. Gradually, clarity drops so that visual tasks become increasingly difficult, despite the best possible glasses. Driving and reading vision become progressively worse, especially at night. Glare from headlights also increases.
A person with cataracts views the world as if through a shower door or a windshield that needs defrosting. Glare becomes a serious problem, color perception and depth perception are affected, and TV viewing is blurred. All of these symptoms worsen as time passes, indicating that cataract surgery should be considered and discussed with Dr. Breaux.
Click the example images below to view symptoms of cataracts.
Cataract surgery is comfortable and usually very successful. Fro those in the Pinole, Oakland and Berkeley areas, surgery is performed as outpatient surgery with an office visit the next day. Anesthesia consists of minimal sedation, topical eye gel and a local block/injection.
The surgery takes 15 to 20 minutes and the patient is sent home the same day. The procedure is usually done by phacoemulsification, an instrument/technique that breaks the cataract into small pieces before removal from the eye.
Once the cataract is removed, a lens implant is necessary to restore the best vision for the patient. The lens implant is folded and injected through a small opening in the cornea, with no suture or stitch needed. The implant is permanent, stable and safe.
Implanting an intraocular lens (IOL) at the time of cataract surgery is the standard procedure for cataract treatment. There are several types of IOLs offered today. The most advanced technology currently available is Crystalens®, an FDA-approved accommodating IOL that, unlike standard IOLs, can restore a broad range of vision, reducing or eliminating dependence on eyeglasses. This unique lens is able to team with muscles in the eye to flex and focus very much like a natural lens ("accommodating" to vision at different distances). The ReSTOR® Multifocal lens also allows patients to see well at different distances. Crystalens and ReSTOR patients are able to read a book, surf the web and drive a car with minimal need for glasses.
Crystalens is the first and only FDA-approved accommodating IOL. Compared to monofocal IOLs and multifocal IOLs, Crystalens provides several advantages:
The ReSTOR lens offers other qualities and advantages that Dr. Breaux will discuss with every potential cataract surgery patient to help make the right decision for each person regarding the Crystalens and ReSTOR lenses.
Dr. Breaux has received specialized training in IOL implantation for his cataract patients. Call our Pinole office at (510) 724-8100 or our Oakland office at (510) 655-6626 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Breaux. With two offices in the East Bay, Dr. Breaux is easily accessible to prospective patients seeking up to date information on cataract and refractive surgery.
From several months to several years after successful cataract surgery, a cloud may develop behind the lens implant. This is called a secondary cataract and can blur vision much like the original cataract.
The YAG laser is used in the treatment of secondary cataracts. The YAG laser makes a small opening in the cloudy membrane behind the lens implant. This requires two minutes and usually results in immediate vision improvement. The YAG laser is not used for the original cataract surgery.
